2:17-29

We're trying to find a solution so Kajsa can keep translating to Swedish as we're having some computer issues. Until then, I guess we'll keep posting in English:

(17-20) Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, and know His will and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law.

M –These verses describe the high privilege the Jew had. They did have God’s law, a type of relationship with God, and even approved of what it said. They saw themselves as guides, a light, instructors, teachers…and they truly should have been that. They did have knowledge and truth in the law (the Old Testament.)

A –It is a privilege to be entrusted with the words of God. Having a bible is a great honor.

(21) You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?

M –Paul questions the mindset some of the Jews had. They were entrusted with the truth to teach others, but were they applying the truth to their own lives?

A –Any privileged person having the truth of God and teaching it (including bible teachers) should ask themselves a similar question. Do we obey what we teach or are we hypocrites?

(21) You who preach that man should not steal, do you steal?

M –Paul’s first example is that of stealing. These people preached it was wrong, but did they obey it? The tone of writing suggests clearly no.

(22) You who say “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery?

M –Paul gives another example. Even if someone might answer ‘No’, based on the sermon of the mountain, Jesus said that when a man looks with lust on a woman he commits adultery in the heart.

(22) You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

M –Those who say they are against worshiping things other than God, do they worship greed by robbing temples? Paul said in Colossians 3:5 that greed is idolatry. They dishonor God to get money.

(23) You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?

M –All of the previous questions here had an implied negative response…this last question carried an implied ‘Yes’ response. But the yes is confessing that while they boast in the law, they dishonor God because they break it.

A –There seems to be a parallel lesson here for those in the church. We may be excited about the truths of the bible and God, but do we actually do what God says? We will see as we go on that no one has done close to enough good to earn salvation.

(24) For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.

M –There are several Old Testament passages this could be quoting (Ezek. 16:27 / 2 Sam. 12:14 / Is. 52:5) The idea is that while the nation of Israel should have been a light to the nations because they were given God’s law and followed it, they ended up giving the nations an excuse to mock God because they did receive His law, but weren’t willing to follow it.

A –Again, there seems to be a lesson for the church here. We are supposed to be the light of the world, but does the world dishonor God, because we, who actually have His commands aren’t even doing them?

(25) For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.

M –Circumcision was something the Jews did, as a sign that they belonged to God and walked in purity. If they kept the law, the sign had value, but if they were breakers of the law (and all of us are) then they really weren’t clean, like the circumcision was supposed to represent.

(26) Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision?

M-If a man didn’t have the physical sign of circumcision, but did what those with the circumcision were supposed to be doing, wouldn’t he be in reality more clean then them?

A-When I (Isaac) was a boy, we had a sign on our dishwasher indicating whether the dishes were clean or dirty. Obviously, if the sign said the dishes were clean, but they were dirty, the sign had no value. This is the Paul’s trying to make with the Jews. Also, it could be said that someone carries the label of a Christian, but inside are really not a Christian…the label is no good then.

(27) And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law?

M –Paul points out to the Jews, that if an uncircumcised (non-Jewish) person actually fulfilled the law (which non of them could do perfectly either), they would prove the Jews wrong.

(28) For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh;

M –Paul says a powerful statement. That being called a Jew outwardly was not what made someone valid…real circumcision wasn’t just in the physical.

(29) but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

M –Having an outward sign, might have gotten praise from men, but the person God would praise is the one who would actually have a clean heart. Paul mentions a clean heart is from the Spirit, not the letter (the law.)

A –In the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7) Jesus will tell his followers not to pray publicly for men’s praise, but in solitude with God. He will also say they shouldn’t give money to people for the praise of men or fast for the praise of men. People may think we’re a great person, but God knows the heart.

I & K

2:12-16

(12) For as many as have sinned without the law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law

M -Those without the law refers to the Gentiles and those with the law would refer to the Jews. The idea unfolded in this verse and the following ones seems to be that God will judge people based on what they know. The Gentiles don’t have the law, but will be judged by what they do know, and the Jews, knowing the law will be judged by that.

A –God judges us based on what we know. Chapter 1:20 told us that all men know God is there and powerful from creation, so none of us will have an excuse. Many people would claim more ignorance than they have, but God knows our hearts.

(13) (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;

M –Paul speaks as a quick side-note to illustrate his point that having God’s law isn’t enough. The Jews were privileged to have God’s law, but if they didn’t obey it, they are just as guilty before God as anyone.

A –While the Jew’s were God’s chosen people with some great privileges (such as having God’s law), they wouldn’t be judged less justly. Sometimes we assume that because we are around the good things of God (church, bible studies) we’re earning ‘brownie points’ with God, but that doesn’t get us anywhere. He is a righteous judge and pronounces sentence on all of us in justice.

(14) for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,

M –The side note continues. Paul says that although Gentiles don’t have the law, they show they still have a law operating in them that shows them right from wrong even if it hasn’t been spelled out to them.

(15) who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them.

M –The thought goes on. The non-Jews show that God’s law is written in their hearts…they know right and wrong by their conscience. The word conscience is made up of two words: CON –‘with’ and SCIENCE ‘knowledge.’ They do what they do with knowledge and this is why their conscience bears witness like in a court of law. It knows the truth and so it accuses them by it’s witness, or excuses them.

A –The conscience is a big evidence of the existence of God…why would we have a sense of right and wrong inside of us if there was no one to answer to? This is why we will all be without excuse for our sin when we face God…we can’t claim we didn’t know what was right because He’s written it on our hearts. The courtroom of God will be the only courtroom where not just actions are judged, but the thoughts are also known and judged.

(16) in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

M –There is a day coming when the secrets of men’s hearts will be judged. Jesus Christ will be the judge in the courtroom, we will be the accused and our conscience will be a witness that we knew what was right and wrong. The gospel (good news) Paul preached included the warnings of the coming judgment.

A –It’s a good thing to know the judge who will judge you and to be honest about the secret darkness of your heart. If it will be brought into light then, you may as well bring it into the light now.

2:1-11

CHAPTER 2

Next week's verses: 2: 12-16

My apologies for not posting earlier. I have been out of town this last week along with some health problems (got an ulcer in my eye) so things have been a little slow. But here's the next chunk. Hope you're blessed.

Some people could read chapter one’s description of how sinful the world is and agree the world is immoral. But agreeing there is right and wrong isn’t enough, even if people seem more moral than others, they are still just as evil inside. This section seems aimed at the Jews and/or the moralist.

(1) Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

M -Chapter 1:20 pointed out that men are without excuse because of what creation tells them about God. Here, Paul says that men who judge others are without excuse because the very thing they judge others for is the very thing they do. Some people may be willing to call some things wrong, but when they do it means it’s wrong for them as well.

A –It seems like a part of our sinful nature is that it’s easier to see the faults in others than it is to see them in ourselves. Jesus said about judging: ‘For with what judgment you judge you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. (Mt. 7:2). When you judge, you acknowledge an absolute standard which means it applies to you as well. Judging each other is something we often do but we forget to judge ourselves. Notice this category of person isn’t rebuked for judging, but for failing to judge themselves. (Mt.7:5 says we are to remove the log in our own eye THEN we can see clearly to help others remove their specks.)

(2) But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who do such things.

M –When God judges it is according to truth (fact, reality). Only God’s judgment is perfect because only God sees the heart. His judgment doesn’t condemn himself because He is the standard of righteousness. Paul affirms the sins are wrong, and God is against those who sin…which includes the people He’s talking about.

A –We should judge our own actions. 1 Corinthians 11:31 says that ‘if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.’ God’s standard is the measure we should use, it’s the truth. God opposes the proud and the self-righteous so we are wise to look at ourselves through His standard to see how short we fall of it.

(3) And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

M –People who hypocritically judge others should not think that they will escape being judged by God. He sees that they are willing to condemn others by the same standard that proves they themselves are wicked.

(4) Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

M –Apparently the thought is that people assume that just because God hasn’t judged them yet He isn’t going to. But He is good, and bears with them, and is patient so they can have time to turn from their ways. Repentance means ‘a change of mind’ and here would seem to mean that God’s goodness in being patient with people is with the desire that they would change their mind and direction from evil to serving Him.

A –God is just and will judge, but he is also patient and desires that people would turn to Him instead of having to judge them. But we shouldn’t think that the judgment will never come just because it hasn’t yet.

(5) But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God

M –God is being patient but because their hearts aren’t softening and they aren’t changing their mind and repenting (being impenitent) they should know they are going to be on bad terms with the Lord on the day of wrath when God will stop being patient and judge them.

A –If we never repent we should know that God tells us to expect His wrath in the future.

(6) who “will render to each one according to his deeds”

M -This is a quote of psalm 62:12 / or proverbs 24:12. ‘Render’ can mean to pay, or to give. God is a righteous judge and will give the wages for what’s been done. This is scary since Paul will tell us in 6:23 that the wages of sin is death.

(7) eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;

M –“Paul is not teaching salvation by works here, but emphasizing God’s impartiality as between Jew and Gentile.” –F. F. Bruce .

I think the point here is, God doesn’t judge Jews and Gentiles differently, if anyone could be found who was doing good and seeking the things of God (which 3:10-11 makes us question), God would reward them regardless of nationality. Also, a point could be made that while Christians aren’t saved by doing good, they do end up doing good in love and obedience to Christ.

A -I like the phrase ‘by patient continuance’. The Christian life isn’t a sprint but a marathon, it takes patience because for the most part, the rewards of eternal life, glory, honor, and immortality will be realized in a future tense.

(8) but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness-indignation and wrath,

M –While life is the payment for doing good, indignation (passionate anger) and wrath will be what God gives to the people who have lived their whole life being self focused and refusing to obey the truth. These people obey what’s not right.

A –Everyone is obedient to something, everyone is a slave of something. The world tells us that we should please our self and get everything we want, but here these people are those who should expect God’s wrath. As creatures made to serve God, the greatest insult we can give is to spend our lives serving ourselves. Jesus said ‘I am the way, the TRUTH and the life’ (jn 14:6) –we could rightly trace the conclusion that not obeying Jesus is not obeying the truth.

(9) tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;

M –God’s list of payment to the wicked on judgment day continues. Tribulation (‘a pressing together, affliction, distress) and anguish (narrowness of place, extreme affliction) will be on every soul of man who does evil. Again, this goes beyond people groups, Jews or non-Jews alike.

A –Men have souls. The body may die but there is the inner part of us that will still exist and will receive either eternal life or indignation, wrath, tribulation and anguish (hard choice of what we’d pick huh?) Our physical death will not mark our end, nor will it lead us to be re-incarnated, it will lead us to be judged by God. We are wise to give time to think about our soul and what this judgment will mean for us. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” –Mt 16:26a.

(10) but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

M –Paul flips back to what God gives the good, he gives them the things verse 7 said they sought for, glory and honor. Also, he gives them peace. And again, this applies first for the Jew and then the non-Jew.

A –It’s a striking picture that God gives the good what they were seeking for, and in a way gave the wicked what they were seeking for…a life against Him and apart from Him.

(11) For there is no partiality with God.

M –This seems to be one of the main points of this section. The Jews were God’s chosen people in the Old Testament times, but this doesn’t mean God judges men with partiality. The Jews had the honor of knowing more about God and so they will be judged and rewarded first apparently.

A –We could stretch the statement to point out that God is not partial in many other ways. He doesn’t care how respected we were on earth, or what our status was, He is a righteous judge.

1:26-32

NEXT WEEK'S VERSES: 2:1-11

So on we go. Paul has been talking about the wrath of God being revealed in the direction of the unbelieving world. They knew God was there and great but suppressed the truth and so continue on their destructive course and God eventually gives them over to the natural consequences of their choices. Paul continues to describe their path, what they become and what they do:

(26) For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.

M –First, because man didn’t want to acknowledge God He ‘gave them up’ to live the lie they chose; they were unclean and dishonored in the foolishness of false worship. Now we have the second ‘God gave them up.’ This time He gives them up to vile passions (shameful, disgraceful passions.) These passions included women choosing what is un-natural instead of what is natural. The greek word translated ‘use’ here is literally in the greek lexicon ‘of the sexual use’.

A –Passions and desires can be natural and good, or against what’s natural and vile, shameful and disgraceful. Sexual relationships outside of the way we are created and outside the bible’s counsels are not right passions.

(27) Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

M –Paul adds that it wasn’t just the women but also the men who got involved in sexual sin. Even though it was contrary to everything that was natural, men burned in desire for one another instead of the opposite sex. And there are penalties for choosing this state.

A –Many people claim the bible doesn’t say anything against homosexuality, but here we have a very clear instance of it. Both sexual immorality and homosexual immorality are said to be a part of man walking away from the knowledge of God and into His wrath. This doesn’t mean we should hate homosexuals (Paul will go on to show that we are all sinners even if we haven’t committed this sin) but we should call homosexuality what the bible calls it: Un-natural and a walking into God’s judgment along with other sin.

(28) And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

M –The third ‘God gave them over’ occurs now. Since they didn’t want to keep God in the picture, He abandoned them to their own evil minds. The word debased is a word that could mean metals and coins failing a test. If metal and coins don’t pass the test of quality or authenticity, they aren’t worth anything. A mind that throws God out is no longer worth anything because it can’t come to natural conclusions anymore. Because God lets these people shut off their minds, they end up doing things that are not fitting.

A –When we take God out of the picture, we end up doing foolish things because His presence is what gives us our existence, purpose, and obligations.

(29) being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil–mindedness; they are whisperers,

M -Now Paul begins a list of the things ‘which are not fitting’ which he mentioned above. The person who doesn’t like to keep God in their knowledge ends up doing these things:

‘Filled with all unrighteousness’ –These people aren’t just and don’t do what’s right

‘Sexual immorality’ –Sexual intercourse outside of God’s counsel

‘Wickedness’ –Evil purposes, desires

‘Covetousness’ –Greed, desiring what others have

‘Maliciousness’ –Shameless desire to rebel and injure others

‘Full of envy’ –Envious

‘Murder’ –Murder

‘Strife’ –Anger, fighting, contending

‘Deceit’ –Deceit

‘Evil-mindedness’ –obvious

‘They are whisperers’ –Slanderers, people who gossip and speak unrightly about them to paint a bad picture.

It’s interesting to see things like gossip and envy listed in the same category as Murder and Sexual Immorality. We may consider some sins worse, but they are all sin and the result of people not liking to retain God in their knowledge.

(30) backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

‘Backbiters’ –people who ‘speak against’ or ‘speak evil’. Seems to be a form of gossip.

‘Haters of God’ –people who hate God, and are exceptionally wicked

‘Violent’ –Rude and arrogant lack of respect in speech and actions

‘Proud’ –Arrogant and proud

‘Boasters’ –Pretenders, imposters, boastful

‘Inventors of evil things’ –Like it says

‘Disobedient to parents’ –Not submissive or compliant with parents

(31) undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;

‘Undiscerning’ -unintelligent, without understanding, stupid

‘Untrustworthy’ –covenant breakers, unfaithful

‘Unloving’ –without natural affection, unsociable

‘Unforgiving’ –one who won’t enter into a treaty or covenant,

‘Unmerciful’ –without mercy, never willing to let someone off the hook

A –We have been reading a list that describes the people who don’t like to retain God in their knowledge and what they do. What we become when we keep walking away from God is an awful thing. Who wants to be around people like those mentioned here? It’s hard to read this list without becoming aware that some of these describe parts of our own life. If we already have relationship with Christ and find these things present in our life, we need to throw them off, they are part of our old nature and way of living. We would like to blame our sinful actions on our past, our parents, or the circumstances of our life, but the truth is they are the result of our rebellion against God.

(32) who, knowing the righteous judgment that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

M -These people know these things are wrong and that they deserve punishment. The God who made and gave them everything has the right to take their life for walking away from Him. Knowing it’s wrong, they keep doing these things and even justify their actions and approve of people doing them.

A –There is a consequence for walking away from God and our heart knows that our sin deserves punishment. Even if someone is unwilling to admit it, they know right and wrong. It’s the natural progression of sinful man to get worse and worse and then attempt to define their sin as acceptable and the norm.

It’s worth noting that since our culture is so full of people behaving this way, we are seeing the wrath of God being revealed (1:18).The world has no excuse for the path we have taken and surely have no righteousness of our own. Fortunately, the gospel will reveal a righteousness from God (1:17). Looking at this should show each of our hearts that we need it.

Hope it made some sense and challenged you to think about the state of the world. We really do need to pray the gospel reaches out to turn people off the destructive path they are walking...and make sure we're not walking it with them.

His,

I & K

1:16-25

OK, Here's the notes on 1:16-25. NEXT WEEKS VERSES ARE: 1:26-32

Please forgive any spelling errors or bad grammar and other dumb things, limited time has not allowed for me to comb through the notes to make them perfect. Hope you're blessed going through it and comparing your notes, love to hear any thoughts if you have them. 

God Bless, I & K

(16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation

 

M –Paul isn’t ashamed of the good news. The reason being is that it has power for salvation. Some messages might encourage us, but don’t really carry the power to save us. If the news is true and can lead you towards something that can save you then it’s powerful. Save us from what? The rest of the book seems to make it clear that he’s referring to being saved from our sin and saved from wrath as a judgment of it (Romans 5:9 / 1 Thess. 5:9.)

 

A –The gospel may be something we’re tempted to feel ashamed of, but it’s the most valuable thing we can give people when it can save them. We wouldn’t be ashamed to tell people to leave a burning building because what we are telling them has the power to save them.

 

(16) for everyone who believes,

 

M –This is the description of who receives the salvation, not just the person who hears the message, but the person who believes it.

 

A –It’s not enough to just know the good news, we have to believe it. “The medicine prepared will not cure the patient if it be not taken.” –Matthew Henry. If you tell someone the building has started burning but they don’t believe you then they won’t leave and they won’t be saved.

 

(16) for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

 

M –Not sure what all Paul has in mind when He says this, but we know both Christ and His disciples went to the Jewish people before the non-Jews. The Jews were the people who received God’s special revelation and expectation of a savior to come. ‘Greek’ here seems to just imply anyone ‘non Jewish.’

 

(17) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith;

 

M –The word ‘righteousness’ will appear again and again in this letter. Most of the time it carries the idea of either God being ‘in the right’ or a person having a right-standing with God. Many would refer to this verse as the theme of the letter. When something is revealed it implies something that was hidden, and is now visible. In the good news, a right-standing with God is made visible. ‘From faith to faith’ can literally be translated ‘out of faith, into faith.’ Whatever this means it implies the centrality of faith (or trust) in the good news of God.

 

A –If we could focus on learning and walking in one thing it might be faith –or trust in God. If we’re going to have a right-standing with God it’s going to have to come from God.

 

(17) As it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

 

M -This is an Old Testament quotation from Hab. 2:4. Even before Christ came and the gospel revealed this righteousness, it was talked about in the O.T. (Old Testament.)

 

A –When I hear this verse, it points past just a one time act of faith, but a lifestyle of trust in God. Also, as Paul often quotes it, we have a lot to learn from the OT as it was authored by the same God of the New Testament and spoke in expectation and figures of the things that would come later.

 

(18) The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men

 

M –‘wrath’ has the idea of anger, often exhibited in punishment. The anger of God is revealed from heaven (where our Father is Mt.6:9.) His anger is against everything unlike Him or disrespecting of Him (ungodliness) and against everything not right. Some commentators point to the possible connection of ungodliness in reference to the Jews, who knew in the law what was godly and unrighteousness for the gentiles who knew from their consciences what was right.

 

A –Here, even in the New Testament, God is shown to be angry at sin. He hasn’t changed from the Old Testament, we just have a gospel to cling to now. We have to remember all that the bible says God is, He is loving but He also hates ungodliness.

 

(18) who suppress the truth in unrighteousness

 

M –Ungodly and unrighteous people suppress (hold back) the truth.

 

A –It’s part of our sinful nature to avoid the truth because it reveals that God has the right to be in charge and that we have sinned against Him.

 

(19) because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

 

M –What can be known about God is plain to man, because God has made it plain to plan.

 

A –While we can’t know everything about God, there are some things we can know about Him. And even if someone doesn’t have a bible to know more about God, there are some things about Him that should be obvious to man.

 

(20) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.

 

M -Ever since the world was created, just by looking at creation, a couple things could be obvious to man.

 

1. His eternal power: Creation shows proof of a creator and one of great power. We cannot even fathom how big our galaxy let alone the universe. How powerful God must be to create all of this!
2. His Godhead (divine nature): I guess the thought here is that the creator is God, something higher than us that we owe our existence and everything to.

 

Man will never be able to use the excuse that He didn’t know of God and His power.

 

A –Even if someone has never possessed or read a bible, if they are honest, looking at creation points to the fact that there is a God out there and He is powerful. Someone can say and choose to not believe in God, but He has left enough evidence for them to know He’s there and He’s higher than us.

 

(21) because, although they knew God they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

 

M –Men will be without excuse, because even though they knew God was there and great, they didn’t honor Him for what He is. They weren’t thankful, even though He had given them everything. Futile means basically pointless or empty. Because they didn’t let the facts lead their minds to the natural conclusion (that God is there and should be honored and thanked) their thoughts became useless. Their foolish hearts being darkened seems to imply the confusion and aimlessness they walk into.

 

A - When we shut off the facts and look for other solutions to suit ourselves, our thinking is pointless because it leads to no real answers. When we try to explain away God we are always walking into darkness and foolishness, we know better.

 

(22) Professing to be wise, they became fools,

 

M –When people choose not to acknowledge and honor God, they may claim to be wise and have a wisdom from this world, but they become fools. They are unwilling to acknowledge the reality of God who built them and the world they live in. They’ve chosen ignorance.

 

A –Psalm 14:1 says ‘The fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God.’’ True wisdom is found when we follow facts to their source.

 

(23) and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

 

M –Instead of worshiping the glorious God of eternity, sinful men choose to worship images of men and animals…things on the same and lower levels than themselves. They decided it would be easier to imagine a statue was God than to just acknowledge there was a God.

 

A –Whenever we aren’t thinking of God as who He really is, we end up worshiping a God of our own imagination or one presented to us differently. We don’t get to decide who God is, just discover who He actually is and worship Him.

 

(24) Therefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves

 

M –This section opened by saying ‘the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (18).’ The progression goes like this: Man chooses to hold back the truth –God now gives them up to uncleanness. He ‘seconds their motion’ and allows them to receive the natural consequences of their choice. ‘uncleanness’ is contrasted with holiness in 1 Thess. 4:7 so may be a general term for all ungodliness. God stops holding them back from the things they desire so much as a judgment. Man is made in God’s image and was put over the animals in Genesis, but he dishonors himself worshiping images of things He was made to rule over.

 

A –It is God’s grace when He confronts us with our sin so we can turn from it, it’s His wrath when He stops confronting us and lets us go our own way. Man is not inherently good, left to himself He will bring destruction and dishonor on himself.

 

(25) who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped an served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

 

M –Again, these people chose a lie instead of God. They worshiped and served created things instead of the one who created them. It’s like being infatuated with a basketball signed by Michael Jordan when He’s standing right there with you. God alone should be blessed (praised) forever and will be by some. ‘Amen’ means ‘truly’. God is the truth.

 

A –Proverbs 23:23 says we should ‘buy the truth and do not sell it.’ The intended meaning seems to line up with this verse: Nothing is worth selling the truth for. If you choose to turn away from reality and do your own thing you’re only kidding yourself. Only God should be worshipped. 

CHAPTER 1:1-15

Next weeks verses: 1:16-25

So, here's our notes on the first chunk. I'm reading out of New King James but I tried to label the verses so you'll know what I'm commenting on. Under the sections of scripture I'm putting things in the categories of 'M' and 'A.' The 'M' is what the MEANING of the passage seems to be and 'A' is the APPLICATION of how it relates to our thoughts and lives. It's challenging in this passage to see how focused Paul is on the gospel, we have a lot to learn from his mind-set and example. Please share any thoughts you had going through! 

CHAPTER 1

(1) Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ.

M- The writer of the letter introduces himself. It was a common way of writing at this time for the author to identify himself at the beginning of a letter.

Paul was formerly referred to as ‘Saul’ before his conversion to Christianity. He was from a Roman province called Tarsus, which was the capital of Cilicia. He was a devout Jew, a pupil of a well-know Rabbi named Gamaliel. As some point He learned the trade of being a tent-maker, apparently this was a common trade in Tarsus. As Christianity began to slowly gain momentum, many of the religious Jews in Jerusalem opposed it, and Saul became a strong enemy of Christianity. On His way to try to find and imprison Christians in the city of Damascus, Paul encountered a light from heaven and fell to the ground. Jesus said to Him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” This became the great turning point in Saul’s life and God began the process of changing His heart and eventually using Him as a missionary and advocate of the gospel, as well as to write numerous books of our New Testament.

Paul refers to Himself as a bondservant. The word can mean ‘one who gives himself up to the will of another.’ It’s the idea of being someone’s servant and existing to do all that THEY desire. Paul views himself as a man who lives to accomplish what Jesus Christ wants.

A- This should become the attitude of every Christian who realizes that Christ came and suffered to give them everlasting life…the least we can do is give ourselves back to the one who loved us and offer to be their servant. Are we all about doing our own will or being given up to the will of God? We would all think it a huge honor to be asked to be the assistant and servant of some famous person in high position, how much more should we consider it an honor to be the servants of the most powerful being in the universe!

(1) Called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God

M- Paul saw himself first as a servant of God, and also an apostle. An apostle is ‘one sent forth with a message or orders.’ The message Paul has been sent with is the gospel of God. Gospel means ‘good news’. Paul considers himself separated to the gospel. People separate their fine china for the purpose of special occasions. Paul considers himself set apart for one main use, to share the good news of God.

A- What a great thing that we are all called to be Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20) and the message isn’t just one of doom but of Good News! How much do we see ourselves as separated to the gospel of God? Do we see that as one of our main purposes in life?

 (2) Which he promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures

M- God used prophets and the writers of the Old Testament to promise that the Good News was going to come. All of the prophecies about Jesus and what He would come and do pointed to the Good News that was coming.

(3) Concerning His Son Jesus Christ

M- This is what the prophets promised in the Old Testament scriptures…that a Messiah would come. That Messiah they spoke of was Jesus Christ. And Jesus Christ is God’s Son.

A- Many people like to just think of Jesus as just a good moral teacher...But the bible says over and over that Jesus is God’s Son. And so we must take him much more serious that any human teacher and know that His words aren’t just from someone with good thoughts, but from the very maker of the universe who we will all face someday (Heb. 9:27.)

(3) Our Lord

M- Paul refers to Jesus as ‘our Lord.’ It’s not just a meaningless phrase to him. When someone is your Lord, they are your leader, your master, the one who possesses you and the one in charge. True Christians consider Jesus Christ not just their Savior (although He is that) but also their Lord.

A- Who is better to choose as Lord of your life than the one who loves you enough to give His life for you and who has all the power in the world to help you and lead you in all He asks of you?

(3) Who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh

M- Seed refers to offspring and flesh here refers to just the physical life. Jesus was born of Mary, who was part of the ancestry of King David from the Old Testament. This is important because the scriptures said the messiah would come from David’s line (1 Chronicles 17:11-14.)

(4) And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

M- Jesus wasn’t just a man born from David’s ancestry, but also showed himself to be the Son of God. The  power of the Holy Spirit of God was on Him through His life and He raised from the dead, something that no one can initiate on their own. Only God has the power over life and death. Death couldn’t hold Him and never will take Him again. Jesus was fully man, from the line of David, and fully God as proved by His rising from the dead.

(5) Through Him we have received grace and apostleship

M- Bible scholars point out this phrase can mean that Paul received both grace AND apostleship from Jesus –which would be true. OR, it can mean Paul received the grace (divine gift) of apostleship –which would also be true. Either way, grace means un-earned favor from God.

A- We don’t deserve any of what He gives us, but He gives it anyway. Jesus is the one who gave Paul the mission of carrying the gospel, and Jesus is the one who sent all Christians out to ‘make disciples of all nations’ (Mt.28:19.) What a privilege it is that God has let a bunch of unworthy sinners be His messengers to take the good news to the world!

(5) For the obedience to the faith

M- This is one way of defining the goal of the gospel; That the whole world would be obedient to the faith. What faith? Faith represents trust. In the gospel, people are called to turn from trust in themselves and the world’s system to trusting God. .

A- The world’s way is to live for yourself and be obedient to your desires. The Christian way is to live for God and be obedient to a life of trust in all He says and asks. We trust Him first for paying the debt of our sin and then learn to trust Him for everything else.

(5) Among all the nations for His name

M- The message is for every nation on earth…come put your trust in Jesus! It is For Jesus’ name. When the bible talks about Jesus’ name, it’s talking about all that He is and the power, reputation and honor that comes with it. We pray ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.’ This means, in part, ‘God let your name be respected and honored.’ When people come put their trust in Christ it shows that God is the one worthy to be trusted and served. And their lives show that walking with God is the best thing we could ever have and brings honor to God’s name.

(6) Among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ

M- Paul makes it personal to the Romans. If God has called the whole world to belong to Him, it includes them.

(7) To all who are in Rome

M- This is who the letter was originally sent to…the people in Rome.

(7) Beloved of God, called to be saints

M- The people are loved by God. This is why the message is being sent, because God loves us and wants us to be with Him (1 Thess. 5:10.) The word ‘saints’ has the idea of people being unique, set apart, and holy.

A- We are not just loved by God, but called to be saints. Many people think of saints as this religious elite of people who have come close to perfection, but Paul and the other writers of the New Testament point out that all believers are called to be saints. When we come to Christ, God gives us a new identity as his children, set apart and unique. Then we have to learn how to act like we are.

What a privilege to be called God’s saints! Since part of being a saint is being set apart and different, we have to expect that our lives as Christians will look different from the world. We live to serve God and we are being changed to be more like Jesus.

We have a tendency as people to rise to the identity that is given to us. God gives Christians the identity of saints, and expects us to learn to act like what we are. We are holy children of God. Like being princes in a royal family we must learn to act appropriate to our identity.

(7) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

M- It is a regular thing for Paul to wish God’s grace and peace to the people He writes to. It’s sort of like saying ‘May God keep giving you more of his unearned love and give you a sense of tranquility, security and assurance.’ He points out that this can only come from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. No one can give you more grace and peace. He mentions both God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ –two parts of God’s ‘3 person nature.’ We see here that He views God and Jesus on the same level, but not as the same person.

A- God can be viewed as our father. Some of us haven’t had very good earthly Fathers, but our heavenly Father is perfect and invites us to think of Him in an approachable and personal way. Jesus taught when we pray that we can think of God as our Father (Mt.6).

(8) First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all

M- Before getting into His content Paul takes time to thank God for them. He says that He thanks God THROUGH Jesus Christ. There is no other way we have access or relationship with God except THROUGH Jesus Christ. He is the way (John 14:6.)

A- Being thankful is always a good place to start and should be a defining attribute of a follower of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:18.)

(8) That your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world

M- ‘This is what Paul is thankful for, that there is a buzz about their walk with God. ‘Whole world’ here probably doesn’t mean ‘the entire earth without exception’ but simply a blanket statement to say their faith is being spoken of in lots of places. Similar to one of us saying something like ‘everyone’s talking about it.’ Of course we don’t mean everyone without exception but just that lots of people are talking about it.

A- The churches in any city should be serving God in such a way that it’s worth being spoken of all over. The faith of Christians is what people should be talking about…that we trust God and walk with Him in an amazing way.

(9) For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing, I make mention of you always in my prayers.

M- Paul wants to assure them that He is being honest when He says He prays often for the believers in Rome. Paul has started so many other churches himself, He had so many other things to think about, but anyone included in the body of Christ would become part of his prayers. He says that he serves God with His spirit. Perhaps the connection is that He is calling God as his witness that He prays for them. Only God would truly know, we can do outward actions of religion that seem convincing but only God knows our spirit. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Paul told the Christians there to ‘pray without ceasing,’ and we see here that Paul practices what He preaches.

A- We should pray for other Christians when we hear of them, even if they aren’t part of our particular church we go to.

(10) Making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.

M- Paul has wanted to come to visit the Christians in Rome, but as He mentioned in the opening of the letter He is a bondservant of Jesus, and so his desires and plans are dictated by whether or not they match up with the will of God. But Paul asks God if there is any way He can go to them.

A- Even though the Christian is yielded to God’s will, we know He loves us and often blesses us with our desires as He accomplishes His will. It’s ok to ask for things but we need to leave it up to God’s wisdom.

(11-12) For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established –that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

M- The reason he wanted to visit is to enjoy the ‘mutual faith’ –the mutual trust in God they share. He knows if He gets to see them he may be able to give them some spiritual things that would help them. Spiritual gifts must be of much higher value than physical gifts. It’s an awesome thing to give another Christian something that will help them in their walk with God. He emphasizes that He doesn’t just see himself as the one with something to offer, but knows he will be encouraged with them as well.

A- The Christian naturally longs to be with other Christians. When we get together as believers it shouldn’t just be to do everything the world does, but to give each other spiritual things that help us grow strong. 

(13) Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now),

M -Paul wants the Christians at Rome to know that He has actually tried to plan to come to them. He hasn’t failed to come because He didn’t want to, but because He was hindered. We don’t know if it was good things or bad things that hindered Him, but we know God is sovereign and works the good and bad together to pure good for the believer. (Romans 8:28).

A –The circumstances God allows sometimes hinders our plans, but that’s ok. We can make plans but God controls the circumstances of our life that allows them to be completed or not. Proverbs 16:9. Sometimes we make plans and ask God for things and He might grant the request differently than we think. Paul would end up getting to Rome many years later, but as a prisoner at the end of His life.

(13) That I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.

M- ‘Gentiles’ refers generally to the non-Jewish people groups. Paul has been bringing Gentile people to Christ and helping them grow in the faith. He considers this ‘fruit’…producing what God wants to see growing. Paul wants to produce for God among the Romans also.

A- Hearing the word ‘fruit’ reminds us of John 15 where Jesus gives the illustration that He is the vine, Christians are His branches, and God is the care-taker who prunes the branches to get them to bear fruit. We bear more fruit for God by staying attached to Jesus (the vine) and letting His life flow into us. This is what we should live for, to grow what God wants.

(14) I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.

M –Paul seems to feel a debt to all of humanity to preach the good news of Jesus to them no matter who they are. To the Greeks, barbarians were anyone non-greek. It made no difference to Paul whether he was ministering to the wise or unwise or any people group, He wanted to bear fruit among them. This is incredible because Paul used to be a ‘super-Jew’ focused on the Jewish people, and now He feels a burden to minister to the whole world.

A –It should be our desire to bring all people closer to God regardless of who or what they are. We shouldn’t just minister to the people most like us and most comfortable to us.

(15) So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

M –Paul is all about the gospel and gives His all to get it out. He wants to preach it in Rome as well. (He will preach it in this letter as well.)

A –Getting the gospel out should be on the forefront of our minds and plans.

 

A short introduction:

Verses for this coming week: Romans 1:1-15

INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK:

When studying any book of the bible, it's obviously great to ask the questions: Who wrote this? Why did they write it? When was it written? Who was receiving the letter? Answering these questions helps us think of the book in it's original context which helps us understand it best. So, without being too detailed, here's a couple of the answers:

1. WHO: Fortunately, there has been little argument about who wrote this book, it's clear from early church History and from the book itself that it was written by the Apostle Paul. Remember that Paul (previously called 'Saul') was a devout Jew who persecuted the Christians until Jesus confronted Him on the Damascus road (Acts 9:1-9.) As a devout Jew, the emphasis of his life before He came to Christ was spent on studying the law (the Old Testament) and trying to be right with God through it.  Paul knowledge of the Old Testament and his former way of life will play a big part in how He presents His arguments in Romans.

2. WHEN: This book was probably written in the winter/spring of A.D.57...that would be twenty some odd years since Christ was resurrected and ascended into heaven. He was probably in Greece when He wrote it, most likely in the the city of Corinth or Cenchrea. We know this because of references in the book to people like Phoebe of Cenchrea (16:1) and Gaius, who was probably a Corinthian (1 Cor. 1:14.) Most people would say Romans was written during Paul's third missionary journey. 

3. WHO'S READING: It seems the letter was written to Christians in Rome (1:7). Because of different ancient copies of the book excluding small parts, many have suggested that because the letter is such a clear statement of the gospel, it may have been passed around to many other places excluding the personal notes attached. The church in Rome probably had both Jews and Non-Jews (Gentiles), but much more predominately was Gentile. 

4. WHY IT WAS WRITTEN: Paul wanted to visit the Roman church (1:11-12; 15:23-24) but was in the middle of taking money from other churches to help the financially struggling church in Jerusalem. Paul seems to have been planning to take the gospel into Spain and was hoping to establish a base of support in Rome with the Christians there (15:23-24.) Since He didn't know many of the people in the Roman church and hoped to have their support in the future, He doesn't say many personal messages, but instead clearly lays out his teaching and the gospel He preaches. 

5. WHAT'S IT ABOUT: People mention different themes in the book, but it's clear a lot of the focus is on what the gospel really is and how it affects and applies to our lives: Here's a rough outline on the book by a guy named F.F. Bruce:

PROLOGUE (1:1-15)

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PAUL:

1. The Theme: The righteousness of God revealed (1:16-17)

2. Sin and Retribution: The universal need diagnosed (1:18-3:20)

a. the pagan world (1:18-32)

b. the moralist (2:1-16)

c. the jew (2:17-3:8)

d. all mankind found guilty (3:9-20)

3. The way of righteousness: The universal need met (3:21-5:21)

a. God's provision (3:21-31)

b. Two old testament precedents (4:1-8)

c. The faith of Abraham (4:9-25)

d. The blessings which accompany justification: peace, joy, hope, love (5:1-11)

e. The old and the new solidarity

4. The way of Holiness (6:1-8:39)

a. Freedom from sin (6:1-23)

b. Freedom from law (7:1-25)

c. Freedom from death (8:1-39)

5. Human unbelief and divine grace (9:1-11:36)

a. The problem of Israel's unbelief (9:1-5)

b. God's sovereign choice (9:6-29)

c. Human responsibility (9:30-10:21)

d. God's purpose for Israel (11:1-29)

e. God's purpose for the world (11:30-36)

THE CHRISTIAN WAY OF LIFE:

1. The living sacrifice (12:1-2)

2. The common life of Christians (12:3-8)

3. The law of Christ (12:9-21)

4. The Christian and the State (13:1-7)

5. Love and duty (13:8-10)

6. Christian life in days of crisis (13:11-14)

7. Christian liberty and Christian charity (14:1-15:6)

8. Christ and the Gentiles (15:7-13)

EPILOGUE (15:14-16:27)

So, it would probably be helpful as we go through the book to check back at the outline every couple of weeks to see where we're at in the big picture. 

Well, we have 15 verses for this week so you might want to chop in into just a couple a day. You could read the whole section each day and then really zoom in on the couple verses. Don't be afraid to take it slow, think about why each word is there. Could you reconstruct the meaning of the passage in your own words? Check out the cross-references in your bible, look up key words in a bible dictionary online or in a greek tool and read other translations of the verses (biblegateway.com). If you need help learning how to do any of those shoot me an e-mail.

When you're picking apart the verses, you might find it most helpful to read a more literal translation of the bible if you don't already (like New American Standard Bible OR New King James version.)  This will help if you're really focusing on each word and why it's there. 

And of course DON'T FORGET TO PRAY. You cannot understand the things of God without help from His Spirit. Ask Him and He will help you. Remember the goal is to understand what it says first, and then to see how it applies to your life. 

Hope you guys are blessed this week...excited to dive in!

I & K